Tolerance ring and assembly with deformable projections

ABSTRACT

A method of assembling a tolerance ring between opposing surfaces of an inner and outer component arranged to mate with one another to provide an interference fit therebetween includes mounting the tolerance ring on one of the inner and outer components whereby the projections are received in a recessed portion on that component, partially mating the inner and outer components, and completing mating by causing relative movement between the tolerance ring and the recessed portion to move the projections from the recessed portion and to be compressed between the mated inner and outer components. The tolerance ring includes an annular band of resilient material for engaging an opposing surface of one of the inner and outer components. The annular band has a plurality of deformable projections extending radially therefrom to engage the opposing surface of the other one of the inner and outer components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/053,106, filed May 14, 2008, entitled “ASSEMBLYMETHOD AND APPARATUS,” naming inventor Andrew Robert Slayne, whichapplication is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to apparatus comprising mating inner and outercomponents, which are mounted together using a tolerance ring. Forexample, the apparatus can be used for mounting an arm on a bearing toform a pivot.

BACKGROUND

A tolerance ring can be used to connect together mating inner and outercomponents. For example, a tolerance ring may be sandwiched between ashaft that is located in a corresponding bore formed in a housing, or itmay act as a force limiter to permit torque to be transmitted betweenthe shaft and the housing. The use of a tolerance ring can accommodateminor variations in the diameter of the inner and outer componentswithout substantially affecting their interconnection.

Typically, a tolerance ring comprises a band of resilient material, e.g.a metal such as spring steel, the ends of which are brought towards oneanother to form a ring. A strip of projections can extend radially fromthe ring either outwardly or inwardly towards the center of the ring.The projections can be formations, possibly regular formations, such ascorrugations, ridges, waves or fingers. The band can include an unformedregion from which the projections extend, e.g. in a radial direction.

In use, the tolerance ring can be located between the components, e.g.in the annular space between the shaft and bore in the housing, suchthat the projections are compressed between the inner and outercomponents. Each projection can act as a spring and exerts a radialforce against the components, thereby providing an interference fitbetween them. Rotation of the inner or outer component can producesimilar rotation in the other component as torque is transmitted by thering. Likewise, linear movement of either component can produce similarlinear movement in the outer component as linear force is transmitted bythe ring.

If forces (rotational or linear) are applied to one or both of the innerand outer components such that the resultant force between thecomponents is above a threshold value, the inner and outer componentscan move relative to one another, i.e. the tolerance ring can permitthem to slip.

Although tolerance rings usually comprise a strip of resilient materialthat is curved to allow the easy formation of a ring, e.g. byoverlapping the ends of the strip, they may also be manufactured as anannular band.

During assembly of apparatus with an interference fit betweencomponents, a tolerance ring can typically be held stationary withrespect to a first (inner or outer) component whilst a second componentis moved into mating engagement with the first component, therebycontacting and compressing the projections of the tolerance ring toprovide the interference fit. The amount of force required to assemblethe apparatus may depend on the stiffness of the projections and thedegree of compression required. Likewise, the load transmitted by thetolerance ring in its final position and hence the amount of retentionforce provided or torque that can be transmitted may also depend on thesize of the compression force and the stiffness and/or configuration ofthe projections.

One example of the use of a tolerance ring is in a hard disk drive (HDD)pivot mount, where the tolerance ring can provide axial retentionbetween a rotatable pivot shaft and an arm mounted thereon. Inconventional pivot mounts, the tolerance ring can provide aninterference fit between the arm and a bearing mounted on the shaft.

Problems can occur during assembly of parts that use tolerance rings. Asthe tolerance ring requires a tight fit between its adjacent parts,there may be abrasion between the ring and various parts of theapparatus, which removes small fragments from the surface of theaffected parts. These fragments are known in the art as particles. Inparticular, parts of the projections distal to the band of the ring maygenerate particles when sliding relative to part(s) of the apparatuswhich they contact during assembly. In certain apparatus, such as acomputer hard disk drive where cleanliness is essential, production ofparticles is extremely undesirable, as the particles can adverselyaffect the function of the apparatus.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, particle generation can be minimized by reducing theamount of sliding contact that occurs during assembly of a tolerancering between components of an apparatus. One of the components caninclude a recessed portion. A tolerance ring may be mounted on thatcomponent in a pre-assembly configuration in which the recessed portionreceives projections of the tolerance ring. In the pre-assemblyconfiguration, the tolerance ring can occupy a relaxed state in which itmay be positioned with respect to other components substantially withoutcompression of the projections. This configuration can permit componentsof the apparatus to be moved closer to their final assembled positionsbefore any relative sliding (and therefore particle generation) occurs.To complete assembly, the tolerance ring can be transferred from therelaxed state into an operative (i.e. compressed) state by movingrelative to the component so that the projections leave the recessedportion. Sliding contact may occur during this stage, but the amount ofsliding may be limited by locating the recessed portion close to thefinal assembled position of the projections, thereby reducing particlegeneration.

According to an aspect, there may be provided a method of assembling atolerance ring between opposing surfaces of an inner component and anouter component to provide an interference fit therebetween. The innerand outer components can be arranged to mate with one another, and thetolerance ring can include an annular band of resilient material forengaging an opposing surface of one of the inner and outer components.The annular band can have a plurality of deformable projectionsextending radially therefrom to engage the opposing surface of the otherone of the inner and outer components. The method can include mountingthe tolerance ring on one of the inner and outer components whereby theprojections are received in a recessed portion on that component,partially mating the inner and outer components, and completing matingby causing relative movement between the tolerance ring and the recessedportion to cause the projections to leave the recessed portion and to becompressed between the mated inner and outer components. The partialmating of the inner and outer components can include moving thetolerance ring into its in use portion relative to the component withoutthe recessed portion and the completion of mating can include moving thecomponent with the recessed portion relative to the tolerance ring.

As explained above, when the tolerance ring is mounted with itsprojections received in the recessed portion, it may occupy a relaxedstate in which mating of the inner and outer components may take placewithout compression of the projections. The pressure on the opposingsurfaces caused by compressed projections during axial sliding ofcomponents can be a primary cause of particle generation in conventionaltolerance ring assembly methods. When the tolerance ring is in therelaxed state there may be substantially no compression of theprojections and hence less pressure on the opposing surfaces duringmating. Thus, by having the tolerance ring in a relaxed state for partof the axial sliding operation (the partial mating step) the length ofslide with compressed waves is reduced. Particle generation may thus bereduced compared with conventional assembly methods. The completion ofmating (i.e. relative movement between the tolerance ring and recessedportion) can transfer the tolerance ring into its operative state. Itmay be achieved by pushing the tolerance ring relative to the recessedportion or by pushing the component with the recessed portion relativeto the tolerance ring. In one embodiment the partial mating step mayinclude inserting the tolerance ring to its “in use” position relativeto the component without the recessed portion while in its relaxedstate. The subsequent relative movement may include bringing the innerand outer components into their “in use” positions while retaining theposition of the tolerance ring.

In one embodiment the recessed portion may be on the outward facingsurface of the inner component. The rest diameter of the tolerance ringmay be smaller than the diameter of the recessed portion so that thenatural resilience of the tolerance ring can cause it to grip the innercomponent when mounted in its relaxed state. When the tolerance ring ismoved to its operative state (i.e. between the components but with theprojections outside the recessed portion) its diameter may be greaterthan the diameter in the relaxed state, whereby compression of theprojections occurs. The diameter of the tolerance ring in the relaxedstate may be chosen to permit the combination (i.e. pre-assembly) of thetolerance ring and inner component to mate with the outer componentwithout compression of the projections.

The axial length of the inner component may be similar to the axiallength of the tolerance ring. In such an arrangement the tolerance ringmay protrude axially from the inner component when mounted in itsrelaxed state. In this case the projections on the tolerance ring may beeither received in the recessed portion on the outward facing surface ofthe inner component or located outside of the inner component. Movingthe tolerance ring into the operative state may include axial movement(achieved e.g. by a mechanical press) of the tolerance ring with respectto the inner component to push it into alignment therewith.

In an alternative embodiment the recessed portion may be on the inwardfacing surface of the outer component. In such an embodiment the annularband of the tolerance ring may have an open configuration with a restdiameter greater than the diameter of the recessed portion such that theresilience of the tolerance ring can enable it to be retained whenmounted on the outer component in its relaxed state.

In another aspect, the invention may provide a mounting assemblycomprising an outer component, an inner component arranged to mate withthe outer component, and a tolerance ring located between opposingsurfaces of the inner and outer components to provide an interferencefit therebetween. The tolerance ring can include an annular band ofresilient material for mounting on the opposing surface of one of theinner and outer components. The annular band can have a plurality ofdeformable projections extending radially therefrom to engage theopposing surface of the other one of the inner and outer components. Oneof the opposing surfaces can include a recessed portion for receivingthe projections during mating of the inner and outer components.

One of the opposing surfaces may thus comprise a recessed portion havinga first diameter and a mounting portion having a second diameter that isdifferent from the first diameter. The recessed portion may be locatedbetween two mounting portions. The tolerance ring may occupy a relaxedstate when the projections are received in the recessed portion and anoperative state when the projections are aligned with the mountingportion. In other words, the tolerance ring can be closer to its restconfiguration when in the relaxed state than in the operative state.

In another aspect, the recessed portion may be on the inner component,whereby the inner component may resemble a bobbin, i.e. two axiallyspaced circumferential collars bounding a circumferential channel. Theprojections may all extend radially inwardly from the band so that theyare directly receivable in the recessed portion. In an embodiment, amounting assembly can include an outer component, an inner componentarranged to mate with the outer component, and a tolerance ring locatedbetween opposing surfaces of the inner and outer components to providean interference fit therebetween. The tolerance ring can include anannular band of resilient material for mounting on an inward facingsurface of the outer component. The annular band can have a plurality ofdeformable projections extending radially inward therefrom to engage theoutward facing surface of the inner component, wherein the outwardfacing surface of the inner component can have a recessed portion forreceiving the projections during mating of the inner and outercomponents.

The outward facing surface of the inner component may have a mountingportion with a greater diameter than the recessed portion. The tolerancering can be movable axially relative to the inner component to transferthe projections from the recessed portion to the mounting portion. Themounting portion may be adjacent to the recessed portion so that theamount of axial movement required is small.

In another embodiment, the projections may all extend radially outwardlyfrom the band. In this case, the band can be arranged to be mounted onthe outward facing surface of the inner component and the projectionscan be configured to engage the inward facing surface of the outercomponent. In this arrangement the band may be have a varying diametersuch that the projections are located on a narrowed “waist” of the bandwhich is receivable in the recessed portion of the outward facingsurface on the inner component. In the operative state, a mountingportion on the outward facing surface of the inner component may pushout the waist of the band whereby the projections are compressed againstthe inward facing surface of the outer component.

In a further embodiment, the tolerance ring can have two axially spacedsets of circumferentially spaced projections. The recessed portion canbe arranged to receive one set of projections. The other set ofprojections can lie outside the component when the tolerance ring ismounted on a component in the relaxed state, i.e. during mating of thecomponents the tolerance ring can protrude axially from one of thecomponents.

The inner and outer components can include a shaft that is receivable ina bore formed in a housing. The bore can extend fully through thehousing or only extend partially through or into the housing. In oneembodiment, the housing can be an arm for a hard disk drive and theshaft may be a pivot for that arm. The shaft can include a bearing, e.g.a pair of axially spaced bearings located on a central shaft. Thebearings can be housed in a sleeve; the recessed portion may be providedin the sleeve. Alternatively, in a sleeveless configuration, therecessed portion can be provided in a spacer element which separates theouter races of the pair of bearings.

A yet further aspect of the invention can include a pre-assemblycomprising the tolerance ring mounted in the relaxed state on one of thecomponents before mating with the other component.

The tolerance ring can be an open or closed loop of resilient material,i.e. it can extend entirely or partly around the perimeter of the shaft.The projections can be arranged such that there are diametricallyopposing pairs of projections around the circumference when thetolerance ring occupies its operative state. Each projection cancomprise a rounded ridge rising to and falling from a radial peak. Therecan be an equal distance between the longitudinal axis of the bore ofthe housing (i.e. outer component) and the peak of each of theprojections. In this case, the peak radius can be measured from thelongitudinal axis to the peak of any one of the projections.

In small component environments, e.g. hard disk drive mounts,compression of the projections when the tolerance ring is transferredinto its operative state can cause the radial extent of the projectionsto change by 0.2 mm or less. Accordingly, the recessed portion mayrequire a depth of around 0.2 mm, e.g. from 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm, to enablethe tolerance ring diameter in the relaxed state to differ enough fromits diameter in the operative state to avoid compression during mating.Generally, the depth of the recessed portion can be between about 90% toabout 150% of the change in the radial extent of the projections, suchas less than about 135% of the change, even less than about 110% of thechange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be better understood, and its numerousfeatures and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art byreferencing the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are cross-sectional views of a tolerance ringassembly at three stages during a mounting method that is an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a tolerance assembly similar to FIG.1 but with an alternative tolerance ring configuration;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of another tolerance ringassembly at two stages during a mounting method that is an embodiment ofthe invention; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of yet another tolerance ringassembly at two stages during a mounting method that is an embodiment ofthe invention.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show steps of an exemplary assembly method and anexemplary mounting apparatus 10 that are embodiments of the invention.The apparatus 10 can include an inner component 12, which in thisembodiment is a shaft, e.g. a sleeved or sleeveless pivot. The innercomponent 12 can be receivable into a bore 16 formed in an outercomponent 14, which may be a housing e.g. an arm of a hard disk drive.The inner and outer components 12, 14 can mate with each other throughinsertion of the shaft into the bore 16.

A tolerance ring 18 can be provided to fit the inner and outer component12, 14 together and compensate for variations in the manufacturingprocess of those components which cause variations in their dimensions.The tolerance ring 18 can have a conventional configuration, e.g.comprise a resilient annular band made e.g. from spring steel withprojections (or “waves”) 20 extends radially therefrom. The waves can bepress-formed into a flat strip, which is subsequently formed into thecurved band. All of the projections 20 can extend in the same direction,which in this embodiment is radially inwardly from the band. In thisembodiment there can be two sets of circumferentially spaced projectionswhich are axially spaced from each other on the band. The projections ineach set can be aligned with each other.

The inner component 12 can resemble a bobbin. It can have a centralcircumferentially extending recessed portion 22 bounded at each axialend by a mounting portion 24. The diameter of each mounting portion 24can be greater than the diameter of the recessed portion 22 such thatthere is a circumferential channel 26 around the inner component 12.

A method of assembling is illustrated in FIG. 1A through 1C. Here thetolerance ring 18 can be mounted on the inner component 12 in an axiallyoffset manner such that one set of projections 20 is received in thechannel 26 and the other set lies outside the inner component. Theradial peaks of all the projections therefore lie on a smaller diameterthan the outer diameter of the mounting portions 24. This means that theouter diameter of the tolerance ring can be smaller than it would be ifthe uncompressed projections 20 engaged the mounting portions. In otherwords, the projections 20 can overlap with the radial protrusion of themounting portions 24 from the channel 26.

The combination of the tolerance ring 18 and inner component 12 mountedtogether in this way may be referred to as a pre-assembly. In FIG. 1Athe pre-assembly can be inserted axially into the bore 16 in the outercomponent 14. The diameter of the recessed portion 22 can be chosen suchthat the outer diameter of the pre-assembly (i.e. the outer diameter ofthe tolerance ring in this embodiment) is no greater than the diameterof the bore (i.e. defined by an inward facing surface 15 of the outercomponent 14). Insertion of the pre-assembly may thus take place withoutcompression of the projections 20 between the inner and outercomponents. Insertion can include mating of the inner and outercomponents.

FIG. 1B shows the completed insertion step. In this embodiment the innercomponent 12, the outer component 14 and the tolerance ring 18 can allhave similar axial length so that they are substantially aligned in use.In this embodiment insertion can be completed when the tolerance ring 18reaches its operative i.e. “in use” position with respect to the outercomponent 14, i.e. aligned therewith in this case. The alignment may beachieved by providing a stop, e.g. a surface below the outer component14, against which the tolerance ring e.g. the bottom edge of tolerancering abuts. After the tolerance ring 18 is aligned, the inner component12 can be pushed axially relative to it and the outer component tocomplete the mating step and to transfer the tolerance ring 18 into itsoperative state, i.e. compress the projections 20 between the inner andouter components 12, 14 such that the tolerance ring can provide aninterference fit therebetween.

FIG. 1C shows the completed mating step. The radial height of theprojections 20 can be greater than the annular gap between the mountingportions 24 of the inner component 12 and the inward facing surface 15of the outer components 14. The mounting portions 24 can therefore bearranged to align with the projections 20 on the tolerance ring 18 whenthe components are all aligned in use.

Compression of the projections may take place only during the finalmovement of the inner relative to the tolerance ring. Thus, substantialpressure (caused by the compression) between relatively moving walls ofthe inner and outer components may only occur for the short distance theinner component moves between the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 1Band 1C. In contrast, in conventional assembly methods this pressure canbe present throughout the mating step.

Variations in the number and configuration of the projections arecontemplated by the specification. The recessed portion can be arrangedin accordance with different configurations to ensure that compressionof the projections does not occur during insertion of the pre-assemblyinto the outer component.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative tolerance ring configuration. In thisembodiment the tolerance ring can have two axially spaced sets ofprojections 30 which are compressed in use between the mounting portions24 of the inner component 12 and the outer component 14. In between thesets of projections 30 can be a center wave band 32 arranged to provideaxial strength to the portion of the band in between the sets ofprojections 30. The center band 32 can project inwardly (i.e. in thesame direction as the projections 30) but can have a smaller radialheight so that it is not compressed during insertion of thepre-assembly.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show steps of an assembly method and a mountingapparatus that are yet further embodiments of the invention. The innerand outer components 12, 14 can have the same configuration as in FIG. 1and the assembly method can be the same. However, in FIG. 3 thetolerance ring 34 can have a different configuration. In thisembodiment, all of the projections 36 can extend radially outwardly.This configuration may be preferred because the sliding interface in thefinal step (where compression of the projections takes place) does notinclude the projections themselves. In other words, the outward facingsurface of the mounting portions 24 can contact the band of thetolerance ring 34 and not the peaks of the projections 36. This can bebeneficial in terms of smoothing the compression of the waves andavoiding torque ripple if the inner component is a pivot, e.g. for ahard disk drive unit.

The band of the tolerance ring shown in FIG. 3A can have a variablediameter along its axis. Each set of projections 36 can be provided on anarrowed section, e.g. waist, of the tolerance ring. One of thesenarrowed sections can be received in the recessed portion when thetolerance ring 34 is mounted on the inner component 18 as thepre-assembly. The wider section between the waists can enclose one ofthe mounting portions in the pre-assembly. Thus, during insertion of thepre-assembly the projections 36 can be received in the channel formed bythe recessed portion so that they are not compressed.

FIG. 3B shows the assembly apparatus after the inner component is fullymated with the outer component. The mounting portions 24 can compressthe projections 36 against the outer component 14 by pushing outward theband at its waists.

The tolerance ring 34 in FIGS. 3A and 3B can also have a tapered axialedge 38 to promote axial alignment of the inner component with thetolerance ring 18 and smooth entry of the upper mounting portion intothe waist region. The central wider section can also taper to the waistregions to provide a similar effect.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show yet another embodiment of an assembly method and amounting apparatus. In this embodiment, the recessed channel 40 can beprovided in the inwardly facing wall of the outer component. That wallthus effectively can have a stepped configuration comprising twonarrower mounting portions 44 at the axial ends of the bore 16, whichmounting portions 44 bound the wider channel 40.

The tolerance ring 18 can have outwardly facing projections 20. In thisembodiment the tolerance ring 18 can be a split ring whose rest diameteris greater than the diameter of the mounting portions 44, whereby thepre-assembly can include the tolerance ring 18 mounted on the outercomponent 14 with one set of projections 20 received in the channel 40and the other set lying outside the outer component 14 (i.e. thetolerance ring axially protrudes from the bore 16). The resilience ofthe tolerance ring 18 can retain the projections in the channel and thuscan prevent it from dropping out of the bore.

FIG. 4A shows the initial mating step in which the inner component 12,which in this embodiment may be a shaft with uniform diameter, isinserted into the pre-assembly, i.e. is axially moved into the tolerancering 18. In the pre-assembly the tolerance ring 18 can occupy itsrelaxed state whereby its inner diameter can be no smaller than theouter diameter of the inner component such that the inner component canbe inserted without compressing the projections 20.

The final stage of assembly can include pushing the tolerance ringaxially relative to the outer component 14 such that one set of theprojections leaves the recessed channel 40 and the other set enter thebore to be compressed between the inner component 12 and the mountingportions 44. During the final stage, the tolerance ring 18 may bealigned with the inner component 12 so that there is no relativemovement therebetween, i.e. the only sliding interface is between thetolerance ring and the outer component. FIG. 4B shows the finalassembled arrangement.

Since compression of the projections is not present during the initialstage of mating the inner and outer components, particle generation maybe minimized.

In the foregoing specification, the concepts have been described withreference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in theart appreciates that various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in theclaims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and allsuch modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofinvention.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is notnecessarily limited only to those features but may include otherfeatures not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive-or and not to an exclusive-or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

Also, the use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements andcomponents described herein. This is done merely for convenience and togive a general sense of the scope of the invention. This descriptionshould be read to include one or at least one and the singular alsoincludes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

After reading the specification, skilled artisans will appreciate thatcertain features are, for clarity, described herein in the context ofseparate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity,described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be providedseparately or in any subcombination. Further, references to valuesstated in ranges include each and every value within that range.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mounting assembly comprising: an outercomponent, the outer component including an upper surface and anopposing lower surface, and further including a generally cylindricalthrough hole extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, thethrough hole defining a first diameter; an inner component, the innercomponent comprising an elongate, substantially cylindrical rod, andincluding an upper mounting portion and an opposing lower mountingportion formed at a distal end of the inner component, the lowermounting portion being disposed at a first axial distance from the uppermounting portion, the upper and lower mounting portions each defining asecond diameter smaller than the first diameter, the inner componentfurther including a radially recessed portion extending axially betweenthe upper and lower mounting portions, the radially recessed portiondefining a third diameter smaller than the second diameter; and agenerally cylindrical tolerance ring, the tolerance ring comprisingcylindrical wall including an upper interference portion and an opposinglower interference portion disposed at a second axial distance from theupper interference portion, the second axial distance beingsubstantially equal to the first axial distance of the inner component,the upper and lower interference portions each having a maximum outerdiameter substantially equal to the first diameter, and a minimum innerdiameter substantially equal to the second diameter; wherein the upperand lower interference portions comprise a plurality of inwardly facingprojections extending from the cylindrical wall of the tolerance ring,the projections defining the minimum inner diameter of each of therespective upper and lower interference portions; wherein the mountingassembly is movable between a first configuration and a secondconfiguration, whereby: in the first configuration: the tolerance ringis at least partially axially inserted into the through hole of theouter component such that at least the lower interference portion isaxially between the upper and lower surfaces of the outer component, andthe inner component is partially inserted into the tolerance ring suchthat the lower mounting portion is axially between the upper and lowerinterference portions, and the upper mounting portion is axially outsidethe upper interference portion, such that the tolerance ring does notcontact the distal end of the inner component; and in the secondconfiguration: the inner component and tolerance ring are both fullyaxially inserted into the through hole of the outer component, such thatthe upper and lower mounting portions axially align with the upper andlower interference portions of the tolerance ring, respectively, therebycreating an interference fit between the outer component, the tolerancering, and the inner component.
 2. The mounting assembly of claim 1,wherein the upper and lower interference portions comprise a pluralityof circumferentially spaced, deformable projections extending from thecylindrical wall of the tolerance ring, wherein the deformableprojections define the minimum inner diameter of each of the respectiveupper and lower interference portions.
 3. The mounting assembly of claim1, wherein between the upper and lower interference portions, thecylindrical wall comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced,deformable projections extending from the cylindrical wall of thetolerance ring into the radially recessed portion of the innercomponent, wherein the deformable projections define a minimum diametersubstantially equal to the third diameter.
 4. A mounting assemblycomprising: an outer component, the outer component including an uppersurface and an opposing lower surface, and further including a throughhole extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, the throughhole comprising an upper portion and an opposing lower portion disposedat a first axial distance from the upper portion, wherein the upper andlower portions of the through hole are adjacent the upper and lowersurfaces of the outer component, respectively, the upper and lowerportions both defining a first diameter, the through hole furthercomprising a radially recessed portion disposed between the upper andlower portions, the radially recessed portion defining a second diametergreater than the first diameter; an inner component, the inner componentcomprising an elongate, substantially cylindrical rod, the innercomponent defining a third diameter smaller than the first diameter; anda generally cylindrical tolerance ring, the tolerance ring comprisingcylindrical wall including an upper interference portion and an opposinglower interference portion disposed at a second axial distance from theupper interference portion, the second axial distance beingsubstantially equal to the first axial distance of the outer component,the upper and lower interference portions both having a maximum outerdiameter substantially equal to the first diameter, and a minimum innerdiameter substantially equal to the third diameter; wherein the upperand lower interference portions comprise a plurality of outwardlyfacing, circumferentially spaced, deformable projections extending fromthe cylindrical wall of the tolerance ring, the deformable projectionsdefining the maximum outer diameter of each of the respective upper andlower interference portions; wherein the mounting assembly is movablebetween a first configuration and a second configuration, whereby: inthe first configuration, the tolerance ring is at least partiallyinserted into the through hole such that the lower interference portionis disposed axially between the upper and lower portions of the throughhole, and the upper interference portion is axially outside the throughhole, above the upper surface of the outer component, such that thetolerance ring does not contact the outer component; and in the secondconfiguration, the inner component and the tolerance ring are fullyaxially inserted into the through hole of the outer component, such thatthe upper and lower interference portions of the tolerance ring axiallyalign with the upper and lower portions of the through hole,respectively, thereby creating an interference fit between the outercomponent, the tolerance ring, and the inner component.